The week in pop culture: T-Boz reveals brain tumor, Willow teams up with Nicki Minaj

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Welcome to the week in pop culture. Here’s all the latest and greatest black entertainment news from the week that was.

T-Boz opens up about her brain tumor during an emotional interview
Tionne ‘T-Boz’ Watkins was on top of the world in 90’s with Grammy Awards, platinum selling albums and all the accolades of fame. The past few years have been really tough for the “Waterfalls” singer. After battling sickle cell anemia for over a decade she recently had a nearly fatal brain tumor removed, and now suffers from various side effects. But she remains standing strong and determined to make a new album. (YouTube)

“I whip my wig back and forth!” Nicki teams up with Willow
Young Willow Smith taught us a thing or two about how to whip our hair back and forth, and Nicki Minaj showed us she can make neon green wigs wearable on days other than Halloween. Now the two have combined their talents for Willow’s latest single “Fireball.” (Entertainment Weekly)

Go behind-the-scenes of the Tuskegee Airmen film Red Tails
After several years of hype and anticipation, George Lucas finally confirmed January 20, 2012 as the date Red Tails will hit theaters nationwide. The movie chronicles the story of the heroic Tuskegee Airmen. Check out the behind-the-scenes footage of the cast members from the film including Cuba Gooding Jr., Tristan Wilde, Ne-Yo, Terrance Howard, Nate Parker, Method Man and more. (YBF)

Rihanna gets sexy for Armani Jeans short film
While rockin a short blonde pixie wig, Rihanna sexes it up and strips down in the back seat of a car for her new Armani Jeans short film. After putting on her jazzy chic Armani Jeans she goes on a secret mission in an underground parking lot and stumbles on the man of her dreams. (Global Grind)

Monica films traumatic video for “Until It’s Gone”
Monica’s latest single is a ballad produced by Missy Elliott and Jazmine Sullivan called “Until It’s Gone.” This week she took to the streets of Harlem to shoot the song’s video, involving a car accident scene where her co-stars for the video end up with bruised and bloodied faces. (Rap-up)

Beyoncé releases video for “Countdown”
While channeling the image of her fashion idol Audrey Hepburn, Beyoncé gets sassy and sexy for her latest video, “Countdown.” In it we see Bey rocking several different short cut wigs while she dances and shows off her adorable baby bump. (People)

Nas says Amy Winehouse was singing about him
Who knew? Since 2006 there have been little rumors here and there that Amy Winehouse’s song “Me and Mr. Jones” is actually the rapper Nas, whose real name is Nasir Jones. This week Nas acknowledged the lyrics referenced his birthday as well as his daughter’s name. (New York Magazine)

J. Cole makes his network TV debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
He sold 218,000 copies of his new album Cole World and hit #1 on the Billboard 200 before ever making his network television debut. But this week the rapper finally got his time to shine when he performed “Work Out” and “Cole World” on Jimmy Kimmel Live!. (Popdust)

HOT MESS!! WATCH TAYLOR SWIFT PERFORM ‘LIVE YOUR LIFE’ WITH T.I.
[youtubevid http://youtube.com/watch?v=X8wXHpkea24]

Mary J. Blige performs her new single on Dancing with the Stars
Oh how we have missed us some Mary J. Blige! This week on the Dancing with the Stars results show, the Queen of R&B hit the stage and turned it out with two incredible performances, including her latest single cleverly titled “25/8.” The song is about loving someone so much that you need another hour and a day so you can love them “25/8”…Get it? (Essence)

Idris Elba covers Essence and shuts down rumors of James Bond role
In the upcoming issue of Essence Idris Elba talks about his attraction to women with beautiful skin and also says that he will not be starring as James Bond in the next 007 flick. (Media Bistro)

Will and Jada sell show about a Latino family to ABC
Hola mi gente! Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith just sold a show to ABC about a Latino family. The show is centered around a young Dominican man from the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan. The young man tries to please his very traditional immigrant father while also creating a life that reflects his new vision of the American Dream. (Hollywood Reporter)

Winning!… Oprah is the queen of Forbes’ list
Forbes released their list of the highest earning women in entertainment. The queen of all media ‘Lady O’ made a whopping $290 million. While other celebs like Lady Gaga made $200 million and Beyoncé made $35 million. (Forbes)

Fantasia Barrino’s pregnancy is delaying the Mahalia Jackson movie
Pretty much everyone knows that Fantasia is pregnant by a married man. Well her pregnancy is wreaking all sorts of havoc on the filming schedule for the Mahalia Jackson biopic that she is set to star in. The producers of the film are actually considering hiring a new lead actress for the role. (USA Today)

Beyoncé causes pandemonium during surprise visit to a Texas college campus
Tina Knowles was honored by the University of Houston for her accomplishments as a business woman and philanthropist. Queen Bey decided to just swing on by and sit in the front row during her mother’s on-stage interview and the room erupted. Hundreds of students were hanging from the balcony just to get a glimpse of the “Countdown” singer. (Daily Mail)

Kanye West is at it again! This time ranting about fashion critics
Yeezy had some pretty harsh things to say to those who criticized the premiere of his fashion line during Paris’ fashion week.West made a speech during the star-studded after party following his show, and really went H.A.M. (XXL)

Ike Turner’s widow takes the stage on The X-Factor
Audrey Madison-Turner is proving that life goes on after Ike is gone. This week Ms. Madison-Turner graced the stage on The X-Factor in an attempt to razzle and dazzle the judges and win a chance to take home those $5 million. (MSNBC)

For more of the latest headlines and entertainment buzz, follow Chris Witherspoon on Twitter @WitherspoonC